Ok I will try to keep it short and simple. I graduated nursing school may 2009, took my NCLEX in august and passed. I looked everywhere and no one was hiring "new grads" so I looked into alternatives and found a nursing home close to where I live. I went and talked to the DON on a wednesday and started there the next monday. I had found out I was expecting about a month prior but I didnt say anything to her as it is well within my rights. I was there about a week when it came out and boy she got mad because I didnt tell her. About the same time I started to notice things that were not quite right. For example, there were safty hazards everywhere, from soiled clothing to wet spills that werent cleaned up. Supplies that she locked in her closet that no one else had access, because she swore people were "stealing them" diapers, wipes, gloves, sharps containers etc. The state inspection team came and did their yearly rounds and found a TON of things they wrote the home up for. After state left I witnessed the assistant director fill in blanks on treatment sheets as well as random FSBS values, with OTHER peoples initials. She instructed we do the same because of state laws and if we didnt we would be fired.
I was written up once without being asked what happened first. I ended up proving the DON wrong and made her rip it up, and she did. She knew I was not at fault from the get go yet she wrote me up anyway. I also caught her in a lie and called her on it in which she refused to answer me. One week later I had contractions and had to go to the ER. I called her up and she got irritated because she had to fill for me. She had me sit there an HOUR after she arrived and forced me to finish some paperwork before I could leave. I returned 3 days later and she strongly suggested I go to part time or quit because she didnt want to be held liable if something happened to be or the baby. She said I had to bring her a docs note and a signed and notarized letter stating I was releasing the facility of any liability if something were to happen. I told her I would bring a note but wouldnt on the letter. There were several occasions of comments and things about me going part time.
A few weeks later she calls me in her office and terminates me because of an incident that happened 4 days earlier. She says she has statements from others that all coincide and that I was negligent in my duties. I asked to see them and the documentation I put in the chart and she stated she didnt have to do that and I didnt have a defense because I shouldve written it in the chart. During the incident I did everything I was taught in CPR class as well as nursing classes. The individual is in good health because of what we all did for them. No harm was done whatsoever.
She did not let me read the termination statement but forced me to sign it by threatening that she would turn me into the board of nursing and personally have my license taken from me if I did not sign and leave immediately. I was terminated in november, it is now January and just yesterday I recieved a letter from the board of nursing stating I need to come in to conference because they have recieved some information about my nursing practice.
I dont know what to do. I did no harm to anyone. I certainly dont want my license taken over this. I called and turned her into the state anonomously a couple weeks after I left there and I think she did this in retaliation. She got rid of me because of my pregnancy im sure. what should I do?
Becky
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January 18th, 2010 at 1:44 am
I would consult with a lawyer who is versed in the nursing board and laws of your state immediately! Don’t try to fight this all by yourself. It may seem expensive now but I am sure it will be worth it to protect your license!
January 18th, 2010 at 7:00 pm
BY ALL MEANS, GO TO AN ATTORNEY, YOU MAY ALSO BE ABLE TO COUNTERSUE FOR A VARIETY OF VIOLATIONS. BUT DON’T WAIT MUCH LONGER. SHE ALREADY HAS THE UPPER HAND BY REPORTING YOU TO THE NURSING BOARD, AND NOW YOU HAVE TO GO AND ATTEMPT TO DEFEND YOURSELF. YOU NEED TO SPEAK TO AN ATTORNEY BEFORE MEETING WITH THEM. ASK FOR A POSTPONEMENT SO YOUR ATTORNEY CAN PREPARE YOU SUFFICIENTLY TO PROTECT YOUR LICENSE, AND PROFESSIONAL REPUTATION WHICH IS YOUR LIVELIHOOD!!!!
January 28th, 2010 at 9:29 pm
DO NOT GO WITHOUT AN ATTORNEY – they will eat you alive and you will regret it forever.
January 30th, 2010 at 5:47 am
Wow which nursing home was that? I’m from oklahoma also. Grace living center nw 10 has a similar reputation. I too was turned in after I began to question my DON and refused to keep my mouth shut about all of the wrong doings in the facility.The DON told completely fabricated lies about me that could not even be proven.I even had multiple eye witnesses concurring with my testimony. The OBN considers you guilty. Period. Get an attorney NOW. Or they will eat you alive in there. I am now jobless with a revocation of my license for two years over something I didn’t even do.And I am an excellant nurse. I have every intention of fighting OBN and GLC legally as soon as I have a job and am able to hire an attorney. Good luck!!
February 2nd, 2010 at 4:50 am
You should be a member of a nursing union, (in NZ and the UK most people are) and if so they can provide free legal help. Another piece of advice is don’t write anymore here or anywhere else. Don’t even talk about it with your family or friends.
I was at a ethics conference and one of the speakers was a nurse/lawyer. She explained that in a court if you’re asked ‘have you talked to anyone about this’ then this can open a whole lot of trouble. Your friends/family can be called upon to testify. This can cause problems.
February 4th, 2010 at 10:37 pm
I’m so sorry your first job had to end up like this. I know how it is to come out of school wanting a great job and also being nervous on how nursing really is in the real world. You sound like a good nurse who cares about her job and I hope everything works out for you. Take the advice that’s being offered by others here. I hope this doesn’t steer you away from a career in nursing nor does it harm other future jobs. Good luck and I wish you the best.
February 9th, 2010 at 12:08 pm
get legal help. immediately!!!
She was falsifying medical records , and manipulated her employees into doing so. If you are found to lie on your documentation.. your entire credibility and your career is over.
She manipulated you into signing a statement you didnt get to read? NEVER sign any statement you dont get to read. EVER!!!!
She completely ran all over you. Sounds like you are a very nice, maybe too nice person. This experience will help you to stand up for yourself . She sounds completely crazy!!!
February 21st, 2010 at 7:30 am
I absolutely 100% agree that you need to seek legal advice. Don’t go to the BON by yourself – seek legal counsel!